Wednesday Morning Notes

Metro Considers Outsourcing Silver Line Service — A plan to privatize station operation on the western stretch of the Silver Line through Wiehle-Reston gained traction this week. The Washington Post reports that Metro officials have sent a formal request for information from potential contractors. [The Washington Post]

Reston Caterer Recognized for Excellent Food Safety — Simply Elegant, a catering and event planning company was awarded a “14 Carrot Gold Food Safety Excellence Award” from the Fairfax County Health Dept. The cafe has committed no violations since November 2015. [Reston Patch]

The proposal to outsourcing the Silver Line service scares me. I don’t think “experience, creativity and market-driven operating structures” alone will reduce cost. My fear is that this is just a way to allow somebody else to be the bad guy and charge higher prices. I also question the Metro’s competence and integrity in coming up with an fair and equitable agreement with the contractor. Residents who live along the Silver Line are already paying exorbitant costs in the form of toll road fees. If the Metro wants to do this kind of experiment, they should find some other area in the DMV.

The Washington Post article only mentioned Paul Wiedefeld and the Metro adminstrators. Where do the local pols of the area stand? Where does the governor stand?

Richard

Do you really think that Metro board member Cathy Hudgins will take an unequivocal stand on this? No, like most things it will be like trying to catch air with your fingers. This does sound like a terrible idea, though. The private entity could raise fairs but kill ridership in doing so. Perhaps they’re trying to bypass unions and employment agreements to pay for cheaper labor. Forget privatization. Politicians just need to dig in and pay what’s required to run Metro properly. If not, throw them out and find representatives who will do so.

40yearsinreston

Hudgins is a disgrace

40yearsinreston

Silver Line to Reston,the golden goose for developers and other vested interests who profit from residents while leaving them holding the bag
Hudgins, a senior member of the WMATA, is, as usual, asleep at the switch and the carpetbaggers know it
Expecting her to consider residents first is futile